In Grade 1, you need to know the following terms and signs. Remember there is a webinar on this subject for you to view and you can also try the ‘quick test’.
accelerando | gradually getting quicker |
adagio | slow |
allegretto | fairly quick (but not as quick as allegro) |
allegro | quick |
andante | at a walking pace |
cantabile | in a singing style |
crescendo (or cresc.) | gradually getting louder |
da capo (or D.C.) | repeat from the beginning |
dal segno (or D.S.) | repeat from the sign |
descrescendo (or decresc.) | gradually getting quieter |
diminuendo (or dim.) | gradually getting quieter |
fine | the end |
f (forte) | loud |
ff (fortissimo) | very loud |
legato | smoothly |
lento | slow |
mezzo | half |
maestoso | majestic |
mf (mezzo forte) | moderately loud |
mp (mezzo piano) | moderately quiet |
moderato | moderately |
p (piano) | quiet |
pp (pianissimo) | very quiet |
poco | a little |
rallentando (or rall.) | gradually getting slower |
ritardando (or rit.) | gradually getting slower |
ritenuto (or rit.) | held back |
staccato (or stacc.) | detached |
tempo | speed, time |
Below are the signs you need to know for Grade 1.
These signs above and below the notes are accents.
A dot over or under a note means staccato (short and detached).
This sign over or under a note is a pause. Pause on the note.
This sign over a group of notes is called a slur, not to be confused with a tie. Perform the notes smoothly.
Repeat marks.